Multifunctional surface treatment for textiles

ABSTRACT

A process for chemically bonding an oxide matrix to a textile surface, comprises providing a dry textile substrate, coating the substrate with a nanosol preparation, and curing the coated substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to multifunctional nanostructural surface treatment for textiles. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to the surface treatment of textiles adopting a Sol-gel reaction scheme. The invention relates to a simple, fast and low-cost finishing process for textiles using a metal oxide matrix providing improved surface properties. Properties to be improved might be ultraviolet filtering, hydrophilicity, self-cleaning, antimicrobial and deodorising characteristics.

[0002] Applications of the invention exist in the production of smart textiles with tailor-made end uses addressing environmental protection and hygienic aspects.

[0003] Present technologies such as impregnation coating of dispersed nanoparticles suffer from low adhesion between the oxide coating and the textile surface and hence poor wash-fastness results. The present invention, on the other hand allows for chemical bonding between the oxide matrix and the textile surface leading to excellent wash fastness. Other advantages are in the simplicity of the process and the low processing temperatures

[0004] The invention may have application to the treatment of cellulosic webs (such as paper, cotton, rayon and other regenerated cellulosic and cellulosic-containing materials such as Tencil and Lyocell, as well as linen, jute, ramie and industrial hemp or the like), wool which is proteinaceous animal fibre, as well as silk and regenerated proteins, other animal fibres, man-made or synthetic fibres that contain hydroxyls, amides, carboxyl and thiol groups.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple process for coating textile surfaces with a continuous metal oxide without altering the appearance of the textile.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There is disclosed herein a process for bonding an oxide matrix directly to a textile surface, comprising:

[0007] providing a dry textile substrate,

[0008] coating the substrate with a nanosol preparation, and

[0009] drying/curing the coated substrate.

[0010] Preferably the coated substrate is pressed and/or padded prior to drying/curing.

[0011] Preferably the pressing/padding takes place at a pressure of about 2.7 kg per square cm.

[0012] Preferably the coated substrate is dried at about 80° C. for about 10 minutes prior to curing.

[0013] Typically curing is effected at about 150° C. for about 5 minutes.

[0014] Preferably the nanosol preparation is prepared at room temperature by mixing titanium tetraisopropoxide, ethanol and acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:100:0.05 respectively.

[0015] The substrate is typically dried at about 100° C. for about 5-10 minutes prior to the coating step.

[0016] Preferably the coating step comprises dip-coating the substrate in the nanosol preparation for about 30 seconds.

[0017] Definition

[0018] As used herein, the term “dry” is intended to mean that the surface of the textile is free of water to enable the nanosol preparation to coat and remain coated to the substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] The General Sol-gel Reaction Scheme

[0020] The general reaction,scheme adopted in the present invention is represented as follows:

[0021] Titania Nanosol Preparation

[0022] The nanosol can be prepared at room temperature by mixing titanium tetraisopropoxide, ethanol and acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:100:0.05 respectively.

EXAMPLE 1

[0023] A cotton substrate of 10×10 cm was dried at 100° C. for 10 minutes. The dried cotton substrate was then dip-coated in the prepared sol for 30 seconds, padded at 2,7 kg per square centimetre and dried at 80° C. for 10 minutes and then finally cured at 150° C. for five minutes. 

1. A process for bonding an oxide matrix directly to a textile surface, comprising: providing a dry textile substrate, coating the substrate with a nanosol preparation, and drying/curing the coated substrate.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the coated substrate is pressed and/or padded prior to drying/curing.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the pressing/padding takes place at a pressure of about 2.7 kg per square cm.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the coated substrate is dried at about 80° C. for about 10 minutes prior to curing.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein curing of the coated substrate is effected at about 150° C. for about 5 minutes.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the nanosol preparation is prepared at room temperature by mixing titanium tetraisopropoxide, ethanol and acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:100:0.05 respectively.
 7. The process of claim 1 wherein the substrate is dried at about 110° C. for about 10 minutes prior to the coating step.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the coating step comprises dip-coating the substrate in the nanosol preparation for about 30 seconds. 